Dierdorf, the color commentator for Monday Night Football and a former professional football player, showed why he has become the lead boxing announcer at ABC.

As Whitaker rocked Ramirez early with repeated jabs and hooks, Dierdorf noted that Ramirez is a slow starter. He remarked how everything Whitaker did was set up by the right jab, and how the champion used angles to stay in front of Ramirez and not get hit.

"Pernell just landed a five-punch combination and Ramirez can't get back in time," Dierdorf said during the third round.

"Ramirez has a lot of heart," added Wallau, "but that's not close to being enough."

The announcers criticized referee Chris Wooleson for not warning Whitaker for repeated low blows until late in the fight, and the cameras caught Whitaker's trainer, Lou Duva, screaming when his fighter began showboating and appeared to get careless in the 11th and 12th rounds.

But, like Whitaker's pre-fight entrance, one of the more memorable moments came after the sixth round. The camera went to Whitaker's corner and the announcers were silent.